I think the race will happen and the track will be pretty good, but there are still huge problems with the spectator side. Costs, transport, hotels, etc. There's like a 2% chance I might be going in a working capacity but the logistical issues are putting me off.

I think the race will happen and the track will be pretty good, but there are still huge problems with the spectator side. Costs, transport, hotels, etc. There's like a 2% chance I might be going in a working capacity but the logistical issues are putting me off.

Yep. Crazy. However, there may be off-track options nearby. Two different lots nearby say they have transportation access agreements with COTA, but most are taking a wait & see approach, waiting for something more than a verbal statement.

1 - T16-18 AKA Turn 8 at turkey, should be insteresting but I can't help but think it should have a longer straight after it to reward those who get it right and disadvantage those who get it wrong in the race.

2 - As much as I love the sequence I think the barriers on exit the inside of T5 could be a problem being so close to the track. If someone missed the apex of T3 and rejoins at T5 a Bourdais/Newgarden incident could be very likely.

Can't wait to see a real car in anger though, hope it's a full crowd and the F1 circus can undo the damage of Indy 05. F1 needs an American audience to be considered a global sport (even if America doesn't think it needs the rest of the world to take part in it's "global" sports ).

1 - T16-18 AKA Turn 8 at turkey, should be insteresting but I can't help but think it should have a longer straight after it to reward those who get it right and disadvantage those who get it wrong in the race.

2 - As much as I love the sequence I think the barriers on exit the inside of T5 could be a problem being so close to the track. If someone missed the apex of T3 and rejoins at T5 a Bourdais/Newgarden incident could be very likely.

Can't wait to see a real car in anger though, hope it's a full crowd and the F1 circus can undo the damage of Indy 05. F1 needs an American audience to be considered a global sport (even if America doesn't think it needs the rest of the world to take part in it's "global" sports ).

Turns 2 to 11 is just mouth watering. Could that section almost be....perfect?!

I couldn't care less about the politics surrounding the GP; I'm a racing fan, not a politician. As soon as the cars are on the starting grid it will be forgotton about anyway.

Since I live here in Austin, it's impossible to totally ignore the politics. Still, I find it difficult to "hate" the people currently involved. Yes, they've made a hash of a bunch of things. For instance, it would be nice if they had approached the local community in a different fashion, so for example the County could have seen its way clear to actually upgrade the roads out there. And I do wish all of them (Tavo included) had done things differently with the State and the METF.

On the other hand, these guys, who do seem to be pretty clueless in a lot of areas, have done a monster job getting the track built. They've brought in the right team to design and build the track, they've pulled together the financing in a tough market, and it looks like it will be done weeks ahead of the race. They got the race moved to November, which is much better weather here, and also avoided a major confrontation with the Univ. of Texas football program.

I also can't really fault them for their pricing. Most of the seat prices and the GA price is right in line with other races and other three day weekend events. In the areas they appear to be a bit over the top, such as the PSL's and the RV parking rates, I assume the market will dictate whether they are over-pricing the product, and future races will be priced accordingly.

I've decided to quit grousing and moaning about the opportunities lost or wasted here, and just focus on the good. The track is looking great. The Circus is coming, and I'll be there.

The politics, greed, and logistic idiocy are are preventing me from being able to attend the race in person, so hell yeah I'm mad. If I were only watching from home, I'd feel the same way you guys do. And, as I said, once race time comes I'll swallow my hate and enjoy the show from the comfort of my couch.

On the other hand, these guys, who do seem to be pretty clueless in a lot of areas, have done a monster job getting the track built.

They have gotten the track built, but more in spite of themselves than because of them. They didn't have the money or financing up front to get the job done without searching for money throughout the process. That's why they have consistently gone to great pains to promote the construction of their own facility. It's also the reason for multiple delays in the construction and downsizes in the scale.

re: bringing "in the right team to design and build the track"...Tavo did that. He brought in Tilke, HKS, and Austin Commercial. I've heard MRA was Bobby's idea.

re: pulling "together the financing in a tough market"...The financing was supposed to be a given. They said they had it up front. They managed to get it, though, bit by bit throughout the entire process. They also threatened the entire project and bought themselves a much tougher deal with Bernie by cutting Tavo out of the deal and refusing or being unable to pay the sanctioning fee on time.

re: looking "like it will be done weeks ahead of the race"...The track will be done, but that should be considered a given. That's why media from both the U.S. and abroad have asked privately why they were so bent on promoting the construction. We'll have a beautiful new circuit right here in our back yards and it should be done in good time. The rest won't be done weeks before. They'll be working on it until right up until the race and beyond. They already have plans to store equipment off-site and move it right back out there after the race.

re: getting the race moved to November...I was there at Wild Bubba's almost 2 years ago when Tavo talked publicly about being ready for the June date, but "really wanting" a fall date specifically due to the horrible heat faced in Dallas back in '94. The original June date was only on the provisional schedule, and Tavo was still onboard when the new one was announced. Remember also re: the "quick" construction, Tavo was saying then that they should have no problem making the June date if necessary.

re: avoiding a confrontation with the Univ. of Texas football program...He talked then about that, too. University of Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds was involved in the process early on. He was in the room and was acknowledged by Tavo at the original press conference in May 2010. At the Bubba's talk referenced above, he also referred specifically to coordinating a fall date with UT, the Texans, and the Cowboys.

re: seat prices & GA prices "right in line with other races and other three day weekend events"...Most of the prices at COTA are in line with only the few most expensive races.

Everyone said that about the twisty section at the end of the lap in Turkey but it turned out to be one of the best spots for overtaking and swapping places.

I love the look of the maggots section but as it tightens in the last two corners I feel its going to end up being a bit more like the snake at suzuka; a technical challenge that doesn't allow any kind of racing to be done. If it was silverstone turn 7 would lead onto the hangar straight, instead there is another tighter right hander before it opens up into 9 and 10. Hopefully this last corner can catch some people out and allow following cars to get a good non drs move into the hairpin at 11.

Everyone said that about the twisty section at the end of the lap in Turkey but it turned out to be one of the best spots for overtaking and swapping places.

I love the look of the maggots section but as it tightens in the last two corners I feel its going to end up being a bit more like the snake at suzuka; a technical challenge that doesn't allow any kind of racing to be done. If it was silverstone turn 7 would lead onto the hangar straight, instead there is another tighter right hander before it opens up into 9 and 10.

The section from 7-10 is slower now than in the version posted by JA. JA's version is slower than the initial one we saw two years ago. Seems the FIA had a lot of input on that sequence.

Hopefully this last corner can catch some people out and allow following cars to get a good non drs move into the hairpin at 11.

Good observation. Hellmund designed that corner with a very narrow, blind entry so that if you aren't spot-on, you'll be vulnerable entering 11.

Well If I were to go from the UK for a 4 night do, it would cost on average (from a quick look round) about £2,500 per person, based on two people. That's for what appears to be a half decent hotel and reasonable stand ticket. (though £1000 was the asking for a turn 1 seat. wow). Would probably need another £1000 on top for spends. Call it £3,500 pp.
Sounds expensive to me, but I'll compare to that to say... Singapore.

Singapore for a 3 night do inc hotel and stand ticket works out £2,000 per person.

So roughly the same, maybe Austin a tad more expensive. All in all not really pricing itself massively above other top notch F1 events from a UK point of view.

But $15,000 for RV spot? Is it where Bernie parks his bus or something?

Well If I were to go from the UK for a 4 night do, it would cost on average (from a quick look round) about £2,500 per person, based on two people. That's for what appears to be a half decent hotel and reasonable stand ticket. (though £1000 was the asking for a turn 1 seat. wow). Would probably need another £1000 on top for spends. Call it £3,500 pp.Sounds expensive to me, but I'll compare to that to say... Singapore.

FWIW, I did Montreal in 2010 by myself for less than $1500. That's for last-minute airfare from Austin to Hartford, 4 nights lodging, tickets at the hairpin and T2 on different days, a rental car, gas, 3-day metro pass, drinks, food, and toy f1 cars for my boys.

I've spent ~$550 just for 3 GA seats to COTA. GS is out of the question.

But $15,000 for RV spot? Is it where Bernie parks his bus or something?

What sort of weather/temps is normal for the back end of November there?

Day time highs in the low to mid 70's. If it's a hot year, maybe into the upper 70's. If it's a cold year, maybe only high 60's. Nights should be in the 50's, maybe upper 40's if it's a cold year. Decent chance of rain, but it's not our wettest time of year. Not as arid as the high summer, but nearly not as wet as springtime.

Any idea of when the designated parking lots areas for shuttle will be announced? Looking right now to book a room on the East side of San Antonio and I would like to be able to get an idea of the roads needed to get to the school bus......